81 A Doll’s House
Henrik Isben
A DOLL’S HOUSE
by Henrik Ibsen
ACT I
[SCENE.—A room furnished comfortably and tastefully, but not extravagantly. At the back, a door to the right leads to the entrance-hall, another to the left leads to Helmer’s study. Between the doors stands a piano. In the middle of the left-hand wall is a door, and beyond it a window. In the right-hand wall, at the farther end, another door; and on the same side, nearer the footlights, a stove, two easy chairs and a rocking-chair; between the stove and the door, a small table. Engravings on the walls; a cabinet with china and other small objects; a small book-case with well-bound books. The floors are carpeted, and a fire burns in the stove. It is winter.
A bell rings in the hall; shortly afterwards the door is heard to open. Enter NORA, humming a tune and in high spirits. She is in outdoor dress and carries a number of parcels; these she lays on the table to the right. She leaves the outer door open after her, and through it is seen a PORTER who is carrying a Christmas Tree and a basket, which he gives to the MAID who has opened the door.]
NORA.
Hide the Christmas Tree carefully, Helen. Be sure the children do not see it until this evening, when it is dressed. [To the PORTER, taking out her purse.] How much?
PORTER.
Sixpence.
NORA.
There is a shilling. No, keep the change. [The PORTER thanks her, and goes out. NORA shuts the door. She is laughing to herself, as she takes off her hat and coat. She takes a packet of macaroons from her pocket and eats one or two; then goes cautiously to her husband’s door and listens.] Yes, he is in. [Still humming, she goes to the table on the right.]
HELMER.
[calls out from his room]. Is that my little lark twittering out there?
NORA.
[busy opening some of the parcels]. Yes, it is!
HELMER.
Is it my little squirrel bustling about?
NORA.
Yes!
HELMER.
When did my squirrel come home?
NORA.
Just now. [Puts the bag of macaroons into her pocket and wipes her mouth.] Come in here, Torvald, and see what I have bought.
HELMER.
Don’t disturb me. [A little later, he opens the door and looks into the room, pen in hand.] Bought, did you say? All these things? Has my little spendthrift been wasting money again?
NORA.
Yes but, Torvald, this year we really can let ourselves go a little. This is the first Christmas that we have not needed to economise.
HELMER.
NORA.
Yes, Torvald, we may be a wee bit more reckless now, mayn’t we? Just a tiny wee bit! You are going to have a big salary and earn lots and lots of money.
HELMER.
Yes, after the New Year; but then it will be a whole quarter before the salary is due.
NORA.
Pooh! we can borrow until then.
HELMER.
Nora! [Goes up to her and takes her playfully by the ear.] The same little featherhead! Oh! don’t say such horrid things.
HELMER.
Still, suppose that happened,—what then?
NORA.
If that were to happen, I don’t suppose I should care whether I owed money or not.
HELMER.
Yes, but what about the people who had lent